Real-world analyses of patients with elevated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk from the Optum Research Database

Abstract

More than 56 million Americans have hypertriglyceridemia, including over 12 million statin-treated individuals. However, the contribution of elevated and high triglyceride levels to cardiovascular disease and death has not been extensively studied using real-world analyses. We review recent analyses of the Optum Research Database, which included patients aged ≥45 years with diabetes and/or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and on statin therapy. Triglyceride levels ≥150 and 200-499 mg/dl were significantly associated with a 25.8 and 34.9% increased relative risk of cardiovascular events, respectively, versus patients with triglyceride levels <150 mg/dl. In addition, hypertriglyceridemia predicted peripheral arterial revascularization, new heart failure diagnosis and new-onset renal disease. Increased triglyceride levels were also significantly associated with increased healthcare resource utilization and costs. Interventions such as icosapent ethyl reduce triglycerides and associated cardiovascular disease risk. More than 56 million Americans have very high triglyceride levels in their blood, including over 12 million patients taking statins. However, the contribution of elevated and high triglyceride levels to cardiovascular disease and death has not been extensively studied using real-world analyses. We review recent analyses of the Optum Research Database. Patients included in these analyses were men and women aged 45 years or older who had documented diabetes and/or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and were prescribed statins. Elevated triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dl and high levels 200-499 mg/dl, respectively, were associated with a 25.8 and 34.9% increased relative risk of cardiovascular events compared with patients with normal triglyceride levels <150 mg/dl. In addition, high triglyceride levels were shown to be predictive of peripheral arterial revascularization, new heart failure diagnosis and new-onset renal disease. Increased triglyceride levels were also significantly associated with increased healthcare resource utilization and costs. Interventions such as icosapent ethyl reduce triglycerides and associated cardiovascular disease risk and may benefit patients with elevated or high triglyceride levels.